X-O-Planet – Voyagers (CD Album – Danse Macabre)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.
Background/Info: One year after their debut album “Passengers” Goderic Northstar and Manja Kaletka return with a new full length inspired by their fetish sci-fi theme. “Voyagers” has been already got very positive reactions in their homeland Germany.
Content: I wasn’t a huge fan of the debut work although “Passengers” revealed interesting ideas. The electro-pop style on this work became a bit more ‘conventional’ ands definitely more worked out. The songs reflect a growing maturity of the band, which is noticeable through carrying choruses, wafting string parts and some retro-like elements. Manja Kaletka also has a particular way of singing, which is what sterile-like and here again like a wink to 80s productions.
+ + + : The production of the vocals remain one of the band’s main strengths. I like the way this girl is singing, mixing a sterile way of singing together with a flavor of sensuality. Sound-wise X-O-Planet has gained in maturity, seriously improving the writing process and the global production. The album also became a bit more danceable than its predecessor.
– – – : Maybe it’s because I’m not German, but I don’t share a similar enthusiasm for “Voyagers” as in the band’s homeland. I’m missing some little elements and especially in the chorus parts. There’s a serious improvement in most aspects of writing and production, but I can’t affirm to have heard a real potential hit instead of multiple cool and enjoyable cuts.
Conclusion: “Voyagers” sounds sweet as electro-pop can be; it’s an easy and entertaining listening, but without real surprising elements.
Best songs: “Gravity Lost”, “Neutron Star”, “Voyagers”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: www.x–o–planet.com / www.facebook.com/XOPlanet
Label: www.dansemacabre–group.de / www.facebook.com/dansemacabrerec
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